Are You A Successful Photographer?

A while ago I had a comment on one of my videos that really got me thinking. The comment was “What makes a successful photographer when everyone is taking photos?”.

Although I didn’t follow up on that comment and now it’s long gone, I assume the author was asking “In the current world of everyone has a decent camera in their pocket, what separates someone just taking photos from a photographer, and what makes a successful photographer?”. I’ve been thinking about this for a while and I feel I now have the answer that comes in two parts.

First up, what is the difference between a photographer and someone who just takes photos? This is simple, a photographer is someone who goes out to take photos for the sake of taking photos. If not for photography, I don’t think I’d go out multiple times a week and walk many miles. So the act of going out to get photos automatically makes you a photographer. A non photography example is what’s the difference between a car person and a non car person? A car person would go out for a drive for the sake of driving. A non car person would only drive if they have somewhere to go.

To answer the second part, what makes you a successful photographer is more subjective because success means different things to different people. To some, success means money and fame while to others it means progression. My personal view is that you’re a successful photographer if you’re constantly working on your craft and improving. By becoming a better and more knowledgeable photographer today than you were a year ago, you’re successful. Finally keep in mind that the only person whose opinion matters on whether you’re a successful photographer or not is your own.